Master's Program

The purpose of the Lowell Program in Economic Geology is to offer geologists cross-disciplinary training in science, business, engineering, and other fields. This program leads to a Professional Master's degree that can be completed in one year. It is designed to provide geologists with the technical and leadership skills required by the increasing demands of the global mineral industry.

Typical candidates are young professionals who have obtained Bachelor's degrees in one of the fields of geosciences and have a job in the minerals industry, but wish to obtain further training that will allow them to compete globally for career-track positions leading to management opportunities. The program aims to meet the needs of economic geologists who desire additional education, particularly with their employer's financial backing (estimated cost). However, geologists interested in land management and public policy would also be well served. Students currently apply for entry into the program through the non-thesis Master's degree track in the Department of Geosciences, specifying an interest in the Lowell Program in Economic Geology.

The degree requires a minimum of 30 units. The curriculum is designed to provide breadth across the disciplines that contribute to the mineral industry, with depth in one of four emphasis areas, whichcorrespond to the student's chosen career path: (a) exploration geology, (b) development geology, (c) mining geology, and (d) environmental geology.

The requirements to obtain the Master's degree consist of a core curriculum, and courses drawn from four subject areas: (1) exploration and development, (2) mining and processing, (3) economics, business, and people, and (4) health, safety, and environment.

The required core curriculum consists of:

• A proposed new course in the Geosciences Department, Project Stages and Best Practices. It is required for all students, and it includes a colloquium series with invited speakers from industry.
• At least one of the two business courses (B AD 510: Business Fundamentals for Scientists, or MIS 578: Project Management) especially designed for the Professional Master's Degree Programs by the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona.
• Two to five units of research credits to complete a written research report and a public presentation (talk or poster). A formal thesis is optional.
• An internship, which normally would take three months to complete. The internship will be waived for those with experience in industry.

The required subject area coursework consists of:

• At least 18 units of qualifying courses drawn from the subject areas. Every student must take at least one course from three of the four subject areas.